The skipper was the star but it was the kid from across Manchester who stole a large slice of the England limelight.

David Beckham was back to his boisterous best at St James' Park but second-half when he was switched to centre midfield the flying Shaun Wright-Phillips came on wide right to mark his debut with a terrific solo goal.

Now the Manchester City star wants to play in England's World Cup qualifiers next month.

"Hopefully, I'll get picked and I'll take each step as it comes after that," said Wright-Phillips. "What happened in Newcastle is everything I've always wanted - to become a footballer and play for England, so to get a goal on my debut tops it off.

"My confidence is high because of the people around me. It's great to make people happy - my family, my friends and myself - that's all I want to do."

Beckham, who played for England with his step dad Ian, paid tribute to the 22-year-old Wright-Phillips, insisting: "He's been doing it week in week out for City. He deserves his chance and it was great for him to score - especially in front of his dad."

Manager Sven-Goran Eriksson backed the applause for Shaun, adding: "He has incredible pace, good technique, he's a very positive player and I'm happy for him.

"To have a debut like that must be a dream for every English schoolboy or young player. It was absolutely perfect. He took his goal very well. He showed that he's ready."

Page 2: We all needed that victory says Becks

We all needed that victory says Becks

David Beckham hailed an England victory "everyone needed".

Beckham, who scored one and made one with a display that turned the clock back, admitted: "We needed that - the manager and the players needed it and the fans needed to see something like this.

"It's been a confidence booster because we were all disappointed after the European Championships."

Sven-Goran Eriksson was relieved to see Becks back to his best and jumped to the support of the Real Madrid superstar.

"You can't expect him to be the best for England every time but this was a very good answer from him," said Sven. "For 90% of the games in the past three and a half years he has been one of England's best players.

"If he's not the best on the pitch Beckham is criticised and I have never understood that. You cannot expect a player to be number one every time. But I'm pleased for him."